• CN: 11-2187/TH
  • ISSN: 0577-6686

Journal of Mechanical Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 62 ›› Issue (15): 507-530.doi: 10.3901/JME.260678

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Research Progress in Additive Manufactured Porous NiTi Shape Memory Alloys

LU Haizhou1,2,3, ZHOU Zhijie1, YANG Yong1, MA Hongwei2,3, CAI Weisi2,3, YAN An2,3, YANG Chao2,3   

  1. 1 School of Mechatronic Engineering, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, Guangzhou 510665;
    2 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Processing and Forming of Advanced Metallic Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640;
    3. National Engineering Research Center of Near-net-shape Forming for Metallic Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640
  • Received:2025-08-14 Revised:2026-02-03 Published:2026-10-13

Abstract: Porous NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs) exhibit exceptional shape memory effect and superelasticity, mechanical properties and elastic modulus matched to human bones, and excellent biocompatibility, which make them have broad application prospects in the fields of biomedical implants, actuators, and more. Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques can achieve near-net shaping of complex porous structures, enabling the porous NiTi SMAs with personalized designs, adjustable porous parameters, and optimized performances. Recently, works on porous NiTi SMAs via AM have become systematic and deep gradually. To facilitate the application of porous NiTi SMAs via AM in various fields, it is essential to summarize their porous structures and performance characteristics, thereby elucidating their intrinsic relationships. Therefore, this paper first analyzes the current design methods for porous structures. Then, the mechanical properties, shape memory effect, and superelasticity of AM porous NiTi SMAs obtained by different design methods are summarized, and the relationships are established among the characteristics of the porous structures, the processing parameters, and the performances of porous NiTi SMAs. Furthermore, this paper reviews recent findings on the biocompatibility of AM porous NiTi SMAs. Finally, future research trends and key issues that need to be addressed in the field of AM porous NiTi SMAs are discussed.

Key words: additive manufacturing, porous NiTi, shape memory effect, superelasticity, biocompatibility

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